A recent report reveals on-chain data and leaked messages from A7, a company that focuses on sanctions evasion. It appears that the firm intervened in Moldovan elections to favor Russia.
While these leaks do not provide clear evidence linking the Kremlin to A7, funds are being directed toward polling, activist networks, politicians, and more. It’s hard to believe that the government is unaware or uninvolved in these activities.
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Is Russia Interfering in Moldovan Elections?
A7 has gained notoriety within the crypto industry for introducing a ruble-backed stablecoin that became a significant tool for sanctions evasion.
New leaks have placed the firm under an even darker spotlight, suggesting it is a major channel for Russian influence in Eastern European elections.
Although claims of Russian interference in US elections sparked unnecessary alarm among American liberals, the focus here is sharply on Moldova, supported by on-chain evidence.
Analysts have already issued warnings about organized electoral bribery in Moldova, with A7 seemingly at the core of these operations.
A7’s stablecoin was commonly used at Garantex, an exchange closed for sanctions infractions. The A7A5 token has resurfaced in various later forms and unrelated illicit exchanges.
A7 tailored its operations towards cross-border sanctions evasion, identifying a profitable niche. On-chain data illustrates the group’s activities:
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This context makes the jump to active election interference much less surprising. The data confirms that A7 wallets have made direct payments to Moldovan politicians.
A Hidden Network
Ilan Shor, who has been sanctioned by the US for allegedly aiding Russia in the Moldovan electoral process, secretly transferred millions to at least one former official in the country. Leaked messages also support this claim.
This is merely one alarming instance of Russian electoral activity. Leaked conversations and on-chain data reveal a consistent pattern of utilizing USDT to finance activist networks, polling activities, and more. A7 reportedly also employed Toncoin for payments to various individuals.
While the leaks imply intelligence connections, there is no definitive evidence that the Russian government is aware of the election interference in Moldova. The covert nature of these operations suggests that obtaining concrete proof may be quite challenging.
For now, it is clear that individuals in Russia are leveraging crypto payments to sway Moldova’s elections. It seems exceedingly improbable that A7 is operating entirely independently from the Russian government’s knowledge.
